Stick Picks
Blog
Field-tested references for cigar collectors.
- How Cigar Ratings Work: The 100-Point Scale Explained
Cigar ratings use a 100-point blind-tasting scale. Learn how scores are assigned, what 90+ really means, which publications matter, and how to use ratings to build a smarter collection.
- Cigar Filler, Binder & Wrapper: What Each Part Does
The wrapper, binder, and filler each shape flavor, burn, and strength differently. Learn what every part of a cigar does and how to use that knowledge when buying.
- Buying Cigars by the Box vs. Singles: What's Worth It?
Box or singles? Learn exactly when to commit to a full box of cigars, when to stay flexible with singles or 5-packs, and how to build a smarter humidor.
- How to Fix Cigar Draw Problems: Tight, Loose & Plugged
Cigar draw too tight or too loose? Learn every fix — from cut adjustments and draw tools to dry-boxing — to rescue any plugged or airy cigar in your humidor.
- How to Clean a Humidor: The Collector's Complete Guide
Learn exactly how to clean a humidor — routine wipe-downs, mold removal, and beetle protocol — so your collection stays fresh and your cedar lasts for years.
- How to Rotate Cigars in a Humidor: The Complete Guide
Learn why and how to rotate cigars in your humidor for even humidity. Step-by-step method, rotation schedule, and tips for desktop, coolidor, and wineador storage.
- When to Remove a Cigar Band (and How to Do It Right)
Remove a cigar band after smoking 2–3 minutes so heat softens the glue. Learn the right timing, step-by-step technique, and how to save bands for your journal.
- How to Use a Cigar Sampler to Find Your Perfect Cigars
A cigar sampler lets you taste multiple blends before buying a full box. Learn how to choose, smoke, and track samplers to build your ideal humidor.
- How to Set Up a Wineador for Cigars: The Complete Guide
A wineador is a wine cooler converted into a humidor. Learn how to choose, season, humidify, and organize one to store 250–600+ cigars properly.
- How to Build a Cigar Collection: The Collector's Guide
Learn how to build a cigar collection the right way — from choosing your first sticks and setting a budget to organizing, aging, and tracking every cigar you own.
- How to Read Cigar Tasting Notes: A Collector's Guide
Learn to decode cigar tasting notes—earth, cedar, spice, chocolate & more. A practical guide to retrohaling, the thirds method, and training your palate.
- Cigar Strength vs. Body: What's the Real Difference?
Cigar strength = nicotine impact. Cigar body = flavor fullness. They're not the same. Learn how to read both so you always pick the right stick for the moment.
- Which Cigars Age Well? A Collector's Selection Guide
Full-bodied, complex cigars with rich tobacco age best. Learn which blends, wrappers, and characteristics predict good aging — and which cigars to smoke fresh.
- Why Spanish Cedar? The Collector's Guide to Humidor Wood
Spanish cedar buffers humidity, repels tobacco beetles, and enhances cigar aging. Here's exactly why it's the global standard — and what to look for when buying.
- Can You Mix Different Cigars in a Humidor?
Yes — with one hard exception. Learn which cigars must stay separate, how flavor marrying works, and the best ways to organize a mixed humidor.
- How to Light a Cigar: Torch, Matches & Toasting Guide
Toast the foot, never touch the flame to tobacco, and rotate slowly for an even light. This guide covers lighters, technique, burn fixes, and when to relight.
- How to Cut a Cigar: Every Cut Type Explained
Learn how to cut a cigar correctly — straight, V-cut, or punch — with the right depth, tool, and technique for every shape. A collector's practical guide.
- How Long Should Cigars Rest in a Humidor After Buying?
Rest cigars 1–4 weeks in your humidor after buying for the best smoke. Learn when to rest vs. age, how shipping affects cigars, and how to know they're ready.
- Cigar Wrapper Types: Flavor, Color & What to Collect
Connecticut, Maduro, Habano, Corojo, Cameroon — learn what each cigar wrapper tastes like, how to choose one, and which age best in your humidor.
- How to Set Up a Coolidor: The Collector's DIY Guide
A coolidor turns any standard cooler into high-capacity cigar storage for under $50. Here's the complete step-by-step setup guide for serious collectors.
- Cigar Pairing Guide: Best Drinks & Foods for Every Cigar
Match your cigar to the right drink or food every time. Our collector's pairing guide covers whiskey, rum, coffee, wine, beer, and food — by body and flavor.
- How to Set Up a Tupperdor: DIY Cigar Storage Guide
A tupperdor costs under $20 and keeps cigars perfectly humidified. Learn how to choose a container, dial in humidity, and avoid the most common setup mistakes.
- Cigar Sizes & Shapes: The Collector's Vitola Guide
Robusto, Toro, Churchill, Torpedo — every cigar size explained. Learn how vitola, ring gauge, and length affect flavor, burn time, and your humidor collection.
- How to Keep a Cigar Journal: A Collector's Guide
A cigar journal helps you track tasting notes, spot patterns, and remember every smoke. Here's exactly what to record — and why it makes your collection smarter.
- How to Rehydrate Dry Cigars: Save Your Collection
Yes, you can revive dried-out cigars. Learn the step-by-step method to rehydrate cigars safely, how long it takes, and what you'll never fully recover.
- How to Calibrate a Hygrometer for Your Humidor
Learn exactly how to calibrate a humidor hygrometer using the salt test or Boveda kit, plus how often to recalibrate analog vs. digital models.
- What Size Humidor Do I Need? A Collector's Sizing Guide
Choose the right humidor size for your collection. From 25-cigar desktop boxes to 500+ cabinet humidors, here's exactly how to size up without outgrowing your setup.
- How to Travel with Cigars: TSA Rules & Packing Guide
Yes, cigars are allowed on planes. Learn TSA rules, carry-on vs. checked tips, travel humidor options, humidity hacks, and international customs limits.
- Cigar Beetles in Your Humidor: Prevention & Treatment
Tiny pinholes in your cigars? Learn how to identify cigar beetles, eliminate an infestation with the freeze method, and keep your humidor beetle-free for good.
- How Long to Age Cigars: A Collector's Timing Guide
Most cigars benefit from 3–12 months of rest; fuller blends reward 2–5 years. Learn how long to age cigars by body, wrapper, and ring gauge.
- Cigars in a Humidor: Cellophane On or Off?
Cellophane on or off in the humidor? The answer depends on your goal. Here's how to decide for short-term storage, aging, and mixed collections.
- How to Organize a Humidor: The Collector's System
A well-organized humidor protects flavor, prevents mix-ups, and makes rotation effortless. Here's the system serious collectors actually use.
- How to Store Cigars: The Complete Guide for Collectors
Field-tested guide to storing cigars at the right humidity, temperature, and conditions, from a single stick to a full collection.